The Rolex China Sea Race is an offshore yachting classic in southeast Asia. Going on its 24th edition, this year being the first with Rolex as a title sponsor, this 565 nautical mile race from Hong Kong to Subic Bay, Philippines is an important historical part of a yacht club that has withstood the tests of time. As China steps into the spotlight as an emerging global power, sailing in Asia has begun to grow by leaps and bounds, highlighting the Rolex China Sea Race as an internationally important event that mimics the growth of its start location in Hong Kong.

In light of all of this, when one thinks of participating in an offshore yacht race, whether it's the Rolex Sydney Hobart or the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, crew safety may not be one of the first things that comes to mind. Offshore success stories abound with old speed records at risk to be broken with each new edition and tragedies are often limited to 'few and far between.'

But taking care of one another on board while also looking out for fellow competitors is the basis of true seamanship and is a key part of any sailing event, offshore or otherwise. In the case of the 2008 Rolex China Sea Race, once one breaks from the mainland, the open South China Sea can bring both challenge and adventure, but the voyage is not for the inexperienced.

“I think the Rolex China Sea Race is one of the most underrated offshore races in terms of challenges, distance from shore, and range of conditions,” said Geoff Hill before the start of this years' edition. As an experienced offshore sailor aboard his TP52 Strewth, sailing in her first serious offshore challenge in this race, Hill could not have known that he was foreshadowing the difficulties that lay ahead for him and his crew when he spoke about the true difficulty of the run. “You leave Hong Kong and you head offshore until you hit the Philippines. This isn't a coastal cling, a channel dash, or a Mediterranean meander… this is a genuine offshore event across a tricky, crowded, notorious seaway.”

As required, first aid training was finished in the nick of time for some, crews readied for the start of the big race, and what a start it was. The 24 participating boats came to the start line of the 24th Rolex China Sea Race on a day that could not have been more perfect. A fresh breeze carried the fleet out of Victoria Harbour and as spectators watched them disappear into the distance, speculation of who would win line honours at the Subic Bay finish line soared. But in the dark of that first night things would turn out differently for one of the 24-boat fleet.

At 0400hrs (or 4:00am) the race committee received an urgent satellite call from Strewth- they had lost their keel. Miraculously, the boat had not capsized and, after balancing the boat as best they could by putting weight low in the boat, the crew decided that their best option was to return to Hong Kong.

“We tried to get a mayday up but I don't think anyone could hear us,” said Hill when speaking of the accident. “Then we started to marshal our resources because we realized that we were 200 miles from anywhere. It was closer to go back to Hong Kong than it was to go to the Philippines and so we elected, even though it seemed like a long way to go without a keel, that we would try.”

Strewth began their long journey back toward Hong Kong, motoring slowly with all crew on deck in harnesses. Without a keel, the TP52 was rolling helplessly in the waves and the crew estimated that it would only take 10 seconds for her to turn over.

At around 0800hrs (or 8:00am), the Beneteau First 44.7 Cloud, also in the IRC Racing Division, noticed a boat heading toward them in the distance. “The wind was dying down to where we were about to change sails and we saw another boat coming back the other way, just motoring- no sails no boom, nothing,” said Olivier Decamps, skipper on Cloud, which had been making good progress up until that point in the race.

“We had not heard anything before that on the radio. We saw it was a TP52 but we didn't know who it was -- they were about two miles away. We were talking about it and then we saw a red flare and thought, 'Uh oh, problem there.' We immediately turned around, dropped the headsail, started the engine and went towards that boat and it was Strewth. They had lost their keel.”

The international red flare distress signal sent out by Strewth was all that Decamps and his crew aboard Cloud needed to see in order to decide their course of action. Cloud immediately came to the aid of their fellow competitor, giving up their chances in this year's race.

But despite of all of this, Decamps showed no regret when speaking of the crew's action. “The whole crew decided, we all talked about it and decided very quickly, obviously there was no other decision to take,” he said.

“We saw Cloud on the horizon, nicest cloud we've ever seen!” said Hill, in good spirits after a safe return to Hong Kong. “We didn't know it was Cloud at the time, we just saw a boat, and sent off a flare and they came to our aid and, very unselfishly, gave up their race. They're a very good boat and they would have done very well,” Hill said, speaking seriously of his gratitude. “They escorted us back and I think that is true seamanship. I think that's one of the spirits of racing.”

To help a competitor in need is part of what highlights the humanity in all sports. Sailing is no exception to this rule, and the actions of Decamps and the crew of Cloud did not go unappreciated by Hill. “I've done quite a few Rolex races,” said Hill, “mainly the Rolex Sydney Hobart, but I've done Newport to Bermuda too, and I think this is the real spirit of competitorship: you give up yourself to stand by. They escorted us all the way back and that was fantastic.”

“We just stayed behind them and before nightfall we all organized what to do in case the boat was to go over,” said Decamps. “They had everything ready to just jump over the side into the liferaft with the grab bags- everything was organized and we were about 200 metres behind just in case.”

“We couldn't leave these guys on their own,” Decamps said, speaking as though it was his crew who had been in danger. “We put ourselves in the position of Strewth- what if we had had the same problem and needed help? This is basic seamanship. When you are out there 150 miles away, there is nothing around.”

The two crews were welcomed on the RHKYC docks upon their return with warm greetings and hot soup. Cold, wet and exhausted, the two crews were relieved to be back on solid ground after such an adventure.

“We were very lucky,” reiterated Hill. “I can't think of any other race boat that's come back without a keel after 200 miles.” When asked about future plans Hill said they would be back on the water as soon as they figure out exactly what happened, and offshore racing is still on the programme. “I'll be at the Rolex Sydney Hobart this year,” said Hill, “and Olivier came and talked to me about it and he's already my first choice for my crew!”

Perhaps with Hill and Decamps together as crew we'll see a different result at this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race come December.

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